Devices and methods for exercise or analysis of the neck region

Abstract

Provided herein are devices and methods for analysis and/or exercise of a body region of a subject. Such devices may include a guide arm supported by a support frame; a receiving surface supported by the guide arm, the receiving surface for receiving input force from the subject; and a motor assembly in communication with the guide arm, the motor assembly controlling movement of the receiving surface based on received input force. Exercise and/or analysis methods described herein may include steps of instructing the subject to apply an input force to a receiving surface; sensing the applied input force over time; and controlling movement of the receiving surface based on the received input force using a motor assembly, whereby the motor assembly moves the receiving surface in a pre-determined direction, so long as the input force remains within an allowable tolerance, until a pre-set end position is reached.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for analysis and/or exercise of a neck region of a subject, said device comprising:
 a support frame; 
 a curved guide arm supported by the support frame; 
 a receiving surface supported by the curved guide arm, the receiving surface for receiving input force from the subject; and 
 a motor assembly in communication with the curved guide arm, the motor assembly controlling movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject based on input force received from the subject at the receiving surface;
 wherein the motor assembly is configured to move the receiving surface in a direction substantially aligned with the input force at a predetermined rate, so long as the input force remains within an allowable tolerance, until a pre-determined end position is reached; 
 wherein the motor assembly is configured to stop movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject upon interruption of the input force from the subject upon the receiving surface, upon failure of the input force to remain within an allowable tolerance, upon reaching a pre-determined end position, or any combination thereof, or both; and 
 wherein the allowable tolerance comprises a lower threshold value for the input force to exceed, an upper threshold value for the input force to not exceed, an acceptable direction vector range for the input force to align within, or any combination thereof. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the receiving surface is fixedly mounted to or integrated with the curved guide arm, and the motor assembly is mounted to the support frame and controls movement of the curved guide arm, such that movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject is controlled by movement of the curved guide arm by the motor assembly; or 
 the receiving surface is movably mounted to the curved guide arm, and the motor assembly is mounted to the curved guide arm and controls movement of the receiving surface along the curved guide arm, such that movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject is controlled by movement of the receiving surface along the curved guide arm by the motor assembly. 
 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the motor assembly engages with the curved guide arm via one or more non-slip complementary engagement members located on the motor assembly and curved guide arm. 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises one or more input sensors for sensing input force received from the subject at the receiving surface and transmitting a control signal based on said input force, and a controller for receiving the control signal and controlling action of the motor assembly based on the control signal. 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one input sensor is located at the receiving surface. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a user interface for guiding the subject's interaction with the receiving surface during use, wherein the user interface instructs the subject to apply input force to the receiving surface in a specific manner, and provides the subject with real-time feedback allowing the subject to adjust application of input force so as remain within an allowable tolerance, wherein the allowable tolerance comprises a lower threshold value for the input force to exceed, an upper threshold value for the input force to not exceed, an acceptable direction vector range for the input force to align within, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the user interface comprises a graphical interface displayed to the subject during use, an auditory interface played for the subject during use, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the user interface comprises a graphical user interface which provides an immersive visual experience to the subject during use which guides interaction of the subject with the receiving surface. 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a positioning sensor which tracks location of the receiving surface, head positioning of the subject, or both, in 3D space. 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the curved guide arm is rotatable with respect to the support frame about a substantially vertical axis, allowing for positioning of the receiving surface about at least a portion of an outer perimeter region surrounding the subject. 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a seat for the subject which orients the neck region of the subject with the receiving surface. 
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the motor assembly controls movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject so as to provide isometric exercise, isokinetic exercise, or both, to the subject during use so as to assess range of motion of the subject during use; or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       13. A method for exercising or analyzing a neck region of a subject, said method comprising:
 instructing the subject to apply an input force to a receiving surface; 
 sensing the input force applied to the receiving surface over time; and 
 controlling movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject based on the input force received from the subject at the receiving surface using a motor assembly, 
 whereby the motor assembly moves the receiving surface away from or toward the subject in a direction substantially aligned with the input force, or in a pre-determined direction, at a predetermined rate, so long as the input force remains within an allowable tolerance, until a pre-determined end position is reached, thereby exercising or analyzing function of the neck region; and 
 wherein the allowable tolerance comprises a lower threshold value for the input force to exceed, an upper threshold value for the input force to not exceed, an acceptable direction vector range for the input force to align within, or any combination thereof. 
 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the motor assembly stops movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject upon sensed interruption of the input force from the subject upon the receiving surface, upon sensed failure of the input force to remain within the allowable tolerance, upon reaching a pre-determined end position, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises tracking location of the receiving surface, head positioning of the subject, or both, in 3D space over time. 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the motor assembly controls movement of the receiving surface with respect to the subject so as to provide isometric exercise, isokinetic exercise, or both, to the subject, so as to assess range of motion of the subject, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the instructing step comprises providing a user interface guiding the subject's interaction with the receiving surface, wherein the user interface instructs the subject to apply input force to the receiving surface in a specific manner, and provides the subject with real-time feedback allowing the subject to adjust application of input force so as remain within the allowable tolerance, and wherein the user interface comprises a graphical user interface which provides an immersive visual experience to the subject during use which guides interaction of the subject with the receiving surface.